VIDEO: Caroline Kennedy Announces Gabrielle Giffords as 'Profile in Courage' Recipient

Caroline Kennedy, president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, said "no one has asked" her to be the Ambassador to Japan and revealed former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is the recipient of this year's John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, in an interview that was broadcast live today, March 8, 2013 on CBS THIS MORNING (7:00 AM-9:00 AM) on the CBS Television Network.

Regarding Giffords, Kennedy told co-hosts Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell, "It was such a wonderful conversation with her. It was really you know, heartwarming and touching for me-it was really emotional thing for both of us. And she was really thrilled." Watch the appearance in full below!

Below are excerpts from the interview:

O'DONNELL: Who is this year's recipient?

KENNEDY: Well, this year-are we going to announce it?

O'DONNELL: Yes.

KENNEDY: Well, this year, we're really- we had our big discussion on it last week, and it's Gabrielle Giffords.

ROSE: Oh, wow, what a choice.

KENNEDY: Yeah, so it's really-

KING: Why her?

KENNEDY: Well I think it's one of the things that really, obviously everybody knows of her tremendous, incredible courage, but the fact that she went through this obviously horrendous tragedy, and has recommitted herself to the political process. I think it's something that is really inspiring, and obviously for anybody in public life who's willing to do that, because it is tough these days in the sense for people, just in their own lives, to see that kind of courage in somebody who is just willing to persevere and keep fighting, no matter what happens. There is something to believe in.

KING: Now the people who've been nominated, Caroline, do they know they are in the running? Or do they-you call them and they pick up the phone and it's you on the other end of the line?

KENNEDY: Yeah, pretty much.

KING: Really?

KENNEDY: Pretty much. I have this-it was such a wonderful conversation with her. She was really-it was really, you know, heartwarming or touching for me. It was a really emotional thing for both of us. And she was really thrilled. And I think that apparently she, you know, has read the book over the years, and really obviously is a tremendous political, you know knowledgeable–

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